Kayakers prepare for Stonycreek Rendezvous

CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP — Organizers of this year’s Stonycreek Rendezvous say the event will be the first chance to regionally showcase the newly completed white water course at Greenhouse Park.

“We have people coming in from a number of states. They’ll actually get to see what the park is all about,” said Steve Podratsky, president of the Benscreek Canoe and Kayak Club.

Scheduled for the weekend of April 25, the three-day event is expected to draw up to 800 people to the area, he said.

The majority of them will be seeing the $600,000 project for the first time and several events have been shuffled around to maximize the impact, Podratsky said.

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In previous years, the river rodeo event was held upstream from the park, but now, with 300 yards of man-made rapids available, the event can take place at the festival site, he said.

The event showcases a competitor’s ability to roll, spin and dance the boat in front of judges.

An additional advantage is that the river channel construction left natural stone sloping on the banks, almost like stadium seating.

That should encourage many more spectators at the rodeo, he said.

Weather forecasts are already looking positive for water levels, with rain anticipated for much of the month, he said. The park is designed to operate even during low water volumes and offers two deep areas and both a free-style and slalom course.

The rendezvous will be offering a range of events designed for those not quite willing to take a dip that weekend, he said. On Friday and Saturday, local bands will take the stage at Greenhouse Park.

Saturday will also feature a guided mountain bike tour at Highland Park, in nearby Cambria County, organized by both the club and the Laurel Highlands Off Road Bicycling Association, he said.

Silent auctions, vendor demonstrations and other activities are also planned.

For the boaters, a full slate of events, including a down-river race, a canoe and kayak race to Johnstown and a boater X-sprint race, are planned.

As always, camping will be permitted on the site, although fees for parking and overnight stays apply. Among the other planned amenities are food vendors, sponsor booths, and equipment rental or purchase tents.